Keine Gefahr in Potsdam-West: Verrostete Übungsmine soll nicht scharf gewesen sein – Tagesspiegel

Security forces in Potsdam have lifted a security perimeter in the Potsdam-West district after confirming that a piece of World War II munition discovered in a residential building was a non-lethal practice mine.

The operation concluded on May 8, 2026, following an assessment by explosives specialists who determined the object posed no danger to the public.

Police had previously established a security zone in the city center to protect residents and pedestrians while the object was evaluated. The cordoned-off area restricted movement in parts of the urban center, necessitating a coordinated response from local law enforcement and emergency services.

The munition was located within a residential property. Upon discovery, the area was secured as a precaution until experts could identify the specific type of ordnance. According to reports from Tagesspiegel and rbb24, the object was identified as a rusted practice mine, which is not considered “sharp” or active.

Once the specialists confirmed that the device was inert, the munition was safely transported away from the residential site for disposal.

The Landeshauptstadt Potsdam and local police issued an all-clear notice shortly after the removal of the object. All security restrictions and road closures in the Potsdam-West area were subsequently lifted, allowing normal traffic and residential access to resume.

The discovery of wartime munitions remains a recurring occurrence in German urban areas, often triggered by construction work or renovations in older residential buildings. In this instance, the rapid identification of the object as a practice mine prevented the need for wider evacuations of the surrounding neighborhood.